It's ironic - most write-ups about this statue mention that the Chinese government condemns the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas and Afghanistan's buddhist heritage, but here they are, about to ruin a site of even greater significance!

If you believe certain words, you believe their hidden arguments. When you believe something is right or wrong, true of false, you believe the assumptions in the words which express the arguments. Such assumptions are often full of holes, but remain most precious to the convinced.

pueraeternus wrote:It's ironic - most write-ups about this statue mention that the Chinese government condemns the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas and Afghanistan's buddhist heritage, but here they are, about to ruin a site of even greater significance!

Indeed. These new structures cannot replace what would be learned from the older ones...

If they can sever like and dislike, along with greed, anger, and delusion, regardless of their difference in nature, they will all accomplish the Buddha Path.. ~ Sutra of Complete Enlightenment

I fled Him, down the nights and down the days; I fled Him, down the arches of the years; I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways, Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears, I hid from Him, and under running laughter. Up vistaed hopes I sped; And shot, precipitated, Adown Titanic glooms of chasmèd fears, From those strong Feet that followed, followed after. But with unhurrying chase, And unperturbèd pace, Deliberate speed, majestic instancy, They beat - and a Voice beat - More instant than the Feet - ‘All things betray thee, who betrayest Me.’